Monday, October 22, 2012

That Which Endures

George McGovern passed
away on Sunday. A minister’s son, McGovern
flew bombers in World War Two, taught college, and served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He is best
known, however, as the Democratic Presidential candidate in 1972 who lost
decisively to President Richard Nixon in one of the
greatest landslides in history. McGovern is said to have remarked, “For many
years, I wanted to run for the Presidency in the worst possible way – and last
year I sure did."

Less than two years later, Nixon resigned in disgrace,
leaving a stain on the Presidency and a mixed legacy.

McGovern was an unabashed liberal and a vocal opponent to the
war in Vietnam. You might not agree with
him, but you always knew where he stood. The same cannot be
said about Nixon.

There are at least two lessons here. First, the electorate can make bad choices.
Two-thirds of Americans voted for Nixon in the popular vote and he
carried 49 states in the Electoral College.
Popularity does not
always assure success and the person selected
to serve as President of the United States is not always a paragon of
virtue.

Second, what one values will endure. Although he was a good leader in many ways,
Nixon died under a cloud because of his “dirty tricks” and subterfuge. McGovern died without regrets because he
never gave up on his values. He took unpopular positions that reflected
his ingrained convictions.

Jesus said, “What
good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or
what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NIV) Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn’t
it?

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About Me

I consider myself an itinerant educator. My time is spent in encouraging and equipping ministers through my work with the Central Baptist Seminary and Pinnacle Leadership Associates. I also do volunteer work with my church in the area of leader development. Other time is devoted to reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with grandchildren and my wife, Rita.